Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-03-25
The Captains Probation.

spare YOU 10 come 10 the hlahor ioi u
few days"
IL dare say he could. ma am" re.
piled. Its not 80 far, and our little
maid gets on with the children very
handy"
'Well. ask him. she said because
Mr.. Cardcwe and are expecting some
friends, and YOU might help me. You
have not forgotten your old business,
;uppose?' she asked, smiling
curtsied, and said: No; could
manage Embarrassing and so on very
we'll rs ladys maid-if wanted.
1T is rather to look after Lady Par
locks little boy, replied Mrs. Cardc-
We "lIe is an only ch ld-the heir to
The property and must have trust
worthy person with him. He has an
attendant Of course. but the nurse had
been obliged to 20 home, understand.
VIII YOU come for week or SOP
sad would, and Mrs. Cardewc
seemed pleased.
Il will write and tell Lady Pardock,"
she said 'She will not come unless
her CHI Id is in good hands, and can
aow assure her" l curtis ed again, and
thanked her for her good opinion. She
nodded pleasantly and drove away,
saying;
ION Tuesday, then"
When Charley came back TO tea he
gave me leave to 90, and laughed about
nv leaving my own children to look af-
.cr the only child of Lady Paddock, who
vas the widow of the great barrister
The gentleman who HAD found the heir
70 the Norfolk estate.
when are you going TO the manor?'
he asked.
''On Tuesday, Charlcy-th is Friday
so there is plenty of time.
The company began to arrive at the
manor ON the Monday. There were 10
be fourteen guests, but | needn't name
them all. Mr.. Hcmph. II and the Mar
syn-Henrys were invited at separate
iimes-but he remained longer than he
had at first intended-and there was u
captain in the navy, II retired officer
named Armstrong. who wore beard
ike the duke of Edinburgh. He was a
nice, plain spoken-gentleman--very
quiet, and seemed TO put himself out for
anyone. lie had never asked to meet
Mr.. He mphill, who had Il yacht and
was somewhat nautical.
l. Eel,
maid-a plain, rather silly-looking, af-
fect!onate g.rl-and the heir. He was
years old; sturdy bold boy; indie
pendent, but rs obedent as | have
never seen a lad so young His mother 5
word was enough; he did as he was
hidden without questioning or frctful-
ness. The young heir seemed 10 like
The or-captain. who was full III an
ecdotes and stories, and Lady P2rdocb
seemed to despise him Little. She
was fire, handsome woman: tall
well made, and well dressed. There
was at times dreamy look in her eyes
AS if she was thinking of the past Of
contemplating the future. She wa
very energetic, though, and could walk
ride. row, or sail a boat rs well As man,
men.
She and Capt. Henry were gooC
friends. She was interested in his min
ing and was quite as ready to 80 dow
the mine as she was to sail in Mr.
Hemphilrs yacht, the Firefv.
YOU are, of course, "A great traveller
Capt. ARMSTRONG;" she SAID one day {,
the sailor. eve heard good deal
you know. through the butler and othe
men servants. and saw a good deal O
Lady Paddock, and sonnet mes sh
talked ia me-
No" lie repl'c cd carelessly. Il hav
been about the world-not much in il
a sailor sees good deal and there
something worth seeing occasionally
too.
Have YOU ever been in ba4tle?
she asked again.
Never, / am thankful to say" h
replied.
You are s0rely-not-not serious?
she said.
Il am quite serious dread a battle
OF course. should fight if | had 10 d
so-but trust never shall"
IL wonder YOU entered the navy
Capt. Arm strong she half sneeret
You sho,ld have been Quaker"
1T was not my own choice. Lad
Pardock.' he answered.
He would make an excellent countr
parson, she remarked TO her neighboI
Capt. Marlyn-Henry; and very 500
afterward the ladies left the dining
loom. From that time Lady Pardoc
seemed to think the sailor what Charlie
calls "a mufi. He walked and som,
times shot with the party in I'll
stubbles-or helped in tableaus, b,
never shone much in any way. Whe
Charley came in ] used to tell hi
about The captain.